Top 19 of ’19: Trib HSSN breaks down the top stories of the year — No. 4

By: Don Rebel
Saturday, December 28, 2019 | 4:01 PM

Purchase Photo Options

The 2019 high school sports season is nearly in the books.

While we anxiously look ahead to 2020, let’s reflect on the district high school sports scene over the last 12 months.

Here is a look back at the top 19 stories from around the WPIAL in 2019.

HSSN Top 19 in ’19: No. 4 — He’s back

One of the top stories in 2018 was Bob Palko’s decision to step away from one of the most successful football programs in the WPIAL.

Palko had guided West Allegheny to eight WPIAL football championships, a then-district record since tied by Bill Cherpak of Thomas Jefferson.

It was thought Palko might sit out a year and look for a college coaching gig.

He didn’t sit out a year nor did he coach college football.

Palko took his 217 wins and 24 years of head coaching experience to Mt. Lebanon, where he was named head coach in February.

The Blue Devils beat Seneca Valley in the WPIAL quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Central Catholic in the semifinals to finish the season 7-5.

Here’s a look at the rest of the top stories of the year:

No. 19 — Big Ben strikes often

No. 18 — Near perfect on the pitch

No. 17 — Five golden rings

No. 16 — Bucs title run is now a teenager

No. 15 — Worldly results lead to district and state gold

No. 14 — Black out

No. 13 — Big time ballers

No. 12 — Four decade wait is over

No. 11 — Fight for survival

No. 10 — A Crummie ending

No. 9 — Swimmer breaks national mark

No. 8 — PIAA to the rescue

No. 7 — Coaching king hangs up his whistle

No. 6 — Golden run ends

No. 5 — Top cat

Tags: Mt. lebanon, West Allegheny